Meet the Author

The FermentedlyChallenged blog has been retired since the end of October 2016. It has been a great 9 year run. Thanks to all the readers and brewery staff for all your support in the past. I'm living in the Denver metro area and working in the Cable TV industry now. Cheers and enjoy beer responsibly. Follow along on social media - @ChipperDave on Twitter and on Facebook.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Left Hand Brewing of Longmont Colorado is done; done with the holiday spiced beer business that is. And after their reserves of Snow Bound Spiced Strong Ale are gone they won't be making any more. That is, they aren't planning on it anyway.

In their latest newsletter dated October 2, 2009 - Left Hand Brewing has stated the following:

"We have officially quit the traditional holiday spiced beer business. Yep – that’s right. No more Snow Bound Spiced Strong Ale. Welcome to FADE TO BLACK. That time of year when the day seems to fade away. Drifting further into the darkness with each passing day. Yes, we’re letting loose, from the noose (spiced beers), that’s kept us hanging about. FADE TO BLACK – our non-traditional, kick-you-in-the-ass ale that mirrors the available sunlight from October through March. The name will stay the same (as well as the packaging) each year, but the style won’t. This year it’ll be a big Foreign/Export stout in the 8% ABV range. It’ll be available in 6 packs and kegs. Who’s getting it: Every state we’re in!"For those of you who enjoyed Snow Bound Spiced Ale you can still get some at Left Hand's tap room in Longmont. Snowbound will be available in 12oz pours all this month for $2 or in growlers for $5 all month long. But once it's gone, it's gone.

Everything has it's time and now it's time to look forward to Fade to Black Ale.

Update 1/5/2010: Apparently, Left Hand will make a totally different Fade to Black next year. Fade to Black II will be created next fall with a different recipe. Expect this to be a yearly change for this brew.